Losing weight is a lot easier than most people make it out to be – but it’s also a lot more challenging, as well.

Sure, that seems a little bit crazy at first, but once you “get it” you’ll definitely get it, and that’s something that we are going to try and help you out with below.

You see, everyone has an opinion about how to best lose weight and then keep it off for good, and many of them are contradictory. That’s because the fitness and weight loss industries are multibillion dollar a year industries through and through (and only getting bigger), and there’s a lot of modern-day snake oil salesman peddling less than ethical products promising nothing more than a hope and a prayer.

If you really want to drop weight as quickly as possible and then keep it off permanently, you’ll want to pay attention to these five tips and tricks.

You MUST eat less than you burn

Calories in versus calories out seems like too simple and straightforward and approach to effortless weight loss, but literally nothing could be further from the truth.

You would be shocked to learn just how much food you eat every single day, but it’s something that you’re going to want to do if you are serious about losing weight. Count calories for a single week without making any other changes whatsoever and you’ll find out pretty quickly why you’re having such a difficult time dropping the weight.

You’ve got to get up and move

Though cleaning up your diet is going to lead to the biggest (and usually the fastest) changes in your body, it’s impossible to get to your goals through diet alone – which is why you’re going to want to pick up at least a couple of different exercises or a handful of workout programs that allow you to sweat to each and every day on your way to creating your ideal body.

If you’re an outdoors person then Cabela’s, Marmot and Mountain Steals may give you some ideas and inspiration to venture outdoors. With clothing, footwear and outdoor activities covered, you may be able to pickup everything you need from them.

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Our lives today are becoming more and more sedentary, and it is wreaking absolute havoc on pretty much everything. We feel tired, we feel worn out, we feel sick, we get injured, and we get heavier – and the cycle continues around and around the merry-go-round.

Maybe you get into CrossFit, or maybe you just lift at the gym every few days, or maybe you just decide that you like to take 30 minute walks around the neighborhood or jump into a kayak for an hour or two every weekend.

It doesn’t matter. It only matters that you get out and move more often than you do already.

Supplements are just that – supplements

Though there are some powerhouse vitamins out there and a lot of workout supplements that promise the moon and the stars as far as results are concerned, you have to understand and appreciate what supplements are or you’re going to be disappointed when you start to use them.

The reason that they are called supplements is because that’s exactly what they are – supplements. If you want to know more, then a great resource and store for buying supplements online is BodyBuilding.com who are one of the most recognizable brands in the industry.

Even the best supplements on the planet aren’t going to be able to produce miracles, but instead give your body that extra boost it needs to give you the results you’re working so hard for. Ingrain this into your mind and you won’t ever have to worry about feeling deflated when you don’t drop 50 pounds in five days because of supplements.

Sleep is of the utmost importance

A lot of people are surprised to learn that the amount of sleep they get each and every night (not to mention the quality of that sleep) has a major impact on their ability to lose weight and then keep it off for good.

Your body needs to be naturally rest, recuperate, and recover every night, which is why you’re going to want to make sure that you are giving it every opportunity to do so. Unless your body can recover from the workouts that you are putting your body through, you’ll always be living with stress and pressure – and you’ll never get the results you’ve always wanted.

Have fun with it!

One of the biggest problems that people have when they jump headfirst into a weight loss journey is that they don’t take the time to make the journey as fun as it can be.

Yes, we are talking about your life here.

Yes, we are talking about your overall well-being and health.

Yes, we are talking about your ability to lead a calm, cool, collected, and confident lifestyle with a body that you are in love with.

But that doesn’t mean that you have to struggle every single step of the way.

In fact, if you do struggle every single step of the way, the odds are stacked against you getting the body of your dreams and then keeping it on a permanent basis. Make it fun and everything becomes a lot easier (even setbacks).

Looking great whilst you exercise is a great feeling and can help keep you inspired. Take a look around Sports Authority for more inspiration, plus you might even get a few ideas by looking at the many sports products they stock.